Short answer: the Zealot PT21. It ranks #12 of 53 party speakers by sound quality, rated 4.1/5, at $225.86; the Soundboks Rider ranks #31, rated 3.4/5, and costs $599, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
The Zealot PT21 is the better-sounding, longer-running option. A lighter party speaker with surprisingly deep bass for the money, a long battery, and a wireless mic for karaoke. It is rated for 60 hours of battery against 35 for the Soundboks Rider. It links with other speakers (PartyAdd up to 100 speakers), which the Soundboks Rider cannot. It plays in stereo from a single unit, unlike the Soundboks Rider. Watch for: Unlike some other Zealot models, app-based EQ customization doesn’t appear to be fully supported yet, and IPX5 means it can handle splashes but not submersion.
The Soundboks Rider is the lighter choice. A light, rugged party speaker with a swappable battery that lasts all day at mid volume and an app with a six band EQ. At 14.3 lbs (6.5 kg) it weighs noticeably less than the Zealot PT21 at 20.7 lbs (9.4 kg). The catch: Its sealed 8in woofer runs out of real bass at high volume: Xander measured the -6 dB point rising to roughly 75 to 85 Hz at maximum, with 40 Hz some 20 dB down, and M1M heard the bass pulled back toward the upper bass above mid volume.
Buy the Zealot PT21. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Soundboks Rider and costs less, so it is the default pick unless a specific strength of the other one matters more to you.
Still deciding? The full Portable Bluetooth rankings cover every ranked option.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Zealot PT21 | Soundboks Rider | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $225.86 | $599.00 |
| Ranked | #12 of 53 in Party Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #31 of 53 in Party Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| App | No | Yes (Soundboks) |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Battery Capacity | 48000mAh (12x4000mAh) | - |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | - |
| Dimensions | 21.1” x 8.6” x 11.9” (535 x 219 x 303 mm) | - |
| Drivers | 2x 166mm woofers + tweeters + midrange drivers | 8” woofer (sealed), 1.2” dome tweeter in horn |
| EQ | Yes (Bass, Voice, Standard modes) | Yes (6-band EQ + Bass+, Indoor and Outdoor profiles) |
| Frequency Response | 20Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 40Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX5 | IP66 |
| Microphone Input | Yes (Karaoke mode with echo effect) | - |
| MicroSD Playback | Yes | - |
| Amplifier Power | 200W | 92W RMS (72W woofer + 20W tweeter) |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyAdd up to 100 speakers) | No (no TeamUp) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A) | - |
| Power Input | Type-C | USB-C (65W fast charging) |
| Stereo | Yes | No |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | No |
| USB Playback | Yes | - |
| Weight | 20.7 lbs (9.4 kg) | 14.3 lbs (6.5 kg) |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC (inferred; additional codecs unverified) | - |
| Lights | Yes | - |
| Battery Life | 60 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 35 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Maximum SPL | - | 113.2dB(C) (measured by M1M Tech Channel) |
| Removable Battery | - | Yes |
| Strap | - | No |
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